Hustle and Scribble

In a world that often values connection and constant interaction, there's something truly empowering about solitude . For women, spending time alone can be a transformative experience, fostering personal growth , resilience , and a newfound sense of self . It's a common misconception that women need constant companionship to be happy. While social connections are important, there's also immense value in spending time alone. When we're alone, we're free from the expectations and distractions of others. We can focus on our own thoughts, feelings, and needs. We can connect with ourselves on a deeper level. Being alone can help us build our self-esteem and confidence . When we're not constantly seeking validation from others , we learn to appreciate our own worth. We become more comfortable in our own skin and less afraid of what others think. Solitude can also be a powerful tool for personal growth. When we're alone, we have the opportunity to reflect on our ...

There’s a moment in every 20-something-year-old’s life when they realize that being an adult isn’t about doing fun things whenever you want. It’s about budgeting. Or in my case, pretending to budget while dodging endless requests from friends to hang out. It was the 28th of the month, and the familiar dread of rent day was creeping up on me. I stared at my M-Pesa balance like it was supposed to magically increase. Spoiler alert: it didn’t.  I had just enough to pay the landlord, but not much left for anything else—no extravagant Uber rides, no random KFC splurges. Just a plain, boring week until payday. But then my phone buzzed. “Yooooo, uko wapi?” It was my friend Carol, her text as casual as ever, like she wasn’t plotting to destroy my carefully constructed broke-life plans.  I sighed. Of course, it’s Carol.The girl could find a reason to party even on a Monday morning. “Kwa nyumba,” I texted back, hoping she’d get the hint that I wasn’t in the mood to socialize.  “Si ...

Mornings at my house are… well, let’s call them a “ controlled chaos .” They are usually a delicate balance between keeping everything on schedule and maintaining a sense of peace (or at least trying to). Here’s how a typical morning looks for me, though no two mornings are ever exactly the same. 6:30 AM: My Quiet Time I’m a firm believer that if I don’t take a few minutes to myself first thing in the morning, the day can easily spiral out of control. So, I get up before everyone else. It’s just me,and my thoughts. Some days, I only manage 10 minutes before the Jahzara wakes up, but other days, I can sit for half an hour and really reflect. I usually pick a scripture or quote to meditate on for the day,and a podcast to listen to while I walk to work. Lately, I’ve been listening to Bible study pods , and it’s been so grounding. This time of quiet, prayer, and reading helps me center myself and reminds me that God’s presence goes with me throughout the day. It’s like an anchor I can ho...

It was a Friday night, and Sarah was feeling the familiar pull between wanting to go out and just staying in with her Netflix and a tub of ice cream . After all, she had spent the week juggling her job, caring for her almost three-year-old daughter, and trying to squeeze in some quality time with herself—whatever that meant these days. As she scrolled through her phone, a message popped up from her friend Grace.  “Tukutane kwa Nyama Choma ?”  Sarah paused. “But I don’t drink!” she muttered to herself, feeling the weight of her introverted nature creeping back in.  “Nani alikuambia unahitaji pombe ?”  Grace’s text continued. “Just come for the food and vibes!” Sarah considered it for a moment. She could already imagine the smoky smell of the grilled meat and the laughter of her friends. Plus, Grace was relentless in her quest to pull Sarah out of her shell.  With a resigned sigh, Sarah typed back, “ Sawa, nitakuja.” When she arrived at the nyama choma joint, the...

It was an ordinary Tuesday morning. The kind where the sky seemed groggy, and the city was just beginning its daily buzz. Essy laced up her sneakers, determined to stick to her morning walk routine, hoping it would clear the mental clutter she’d been carrying. Work had been tough, home was chaotic, and her soul… well, it just felt tired. She needed a break—a sign, maybe. As she set off down her usual route, the streets were quiet except for the chirping birds and the occasional jogger. She tried to let the rhythm of her footsteps free her mind, shake off the stress that had been weighing her down for weeks. Turning a corner, she noticed an older woman sitting on a bench by the park. The woman’s silver hair shimmered in the morning light, and she wore a soft, pale blue dress. There was something peaceful about her, so much so that Essy found herself slowing down as she approached. The woman looked up and smiled—a warm, wise smile. "Ni siku nzuri, si ndio?" the woman said. Essy...

It was supposed to be just one date. That’s what I told myself when I agreed to meet up with Tony again. I mean, the first date wasn’t even that great. He was late—by almost an hour—and when he did show up, he didn’t even apologize. But, somehow, I still agreed to give him a second chance. Maybe it was the dimples. Or maybe it was because my cousin Shiro wouldn’t stop hyping him up. “Boo, usijali hio lateness,” she said, popping a grape into her mouth as we sat in her tiny Westlands apartment. “Tony is legit. You know Nairobi traffic is mad these days.” “Traffic?” I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “He lives in South B . It’s not that far.” Shiro shrugged, “Hakuna mtu perfect. You give guys too hard a time. Look, give him another shot. If he messes up, then you can ghost him.” I groaned. Shiro had this way of always defending Nairobi men like they were some endangered species.  But the truth was, it wasn’t just the lateness that bothered me. It was the constant texting during our first...

I've been thinking a lot lately about personal growth . It's funny how life can throw you curveballs when you least expect them. I've made my fair share of mistakes, stumbled into a few dead ends, and even hurt a few people along the way. But hey, that's life, right? We all make mistakes, and the important thing is to learn from them. I've been particularly hard on myself lately, beating myself up over past blunders and missed opportunities. It's like I've been stuck in a never-ending loop of self-doubt and regret. But enough is enough. It's time to let go of the past and focus on the future. One of the biggest hurdles I've faced is forgiving myself. It's easy to dwell on our mistakes, to replay them over and over in our minds until they feel like a heavy weight on our shoulders. But forgiveness is a powerful tool. It's like shedding a heavy coat on a warm day. It feels liberating, it feels good. So, I'm making a conscious effort to fo...

In the heart of Nakuru , the sun set beautifully over Lake Nakuru , casting golden hues across the water. But for Zara , the evening was about to become a different kind of beautiful. As a 24-year-old single mom , balancing work and raising her spirited five-year-old son, often felt like being on a never-ending roller coaster.  Tonight, Zara was stepping out of her comfort zone. Her friends had convinced her to join them for a game night at a local pub . “Zara, wacha izo excuses! We need you here!” Aisha had insisted, almost dragging her out of her house. “And what about Kato ?" Zara had replied, worried about leaving her son with a babysitter. “We’ll take care of him! Just have fun!” Aisha had reassured her. So, here she was, glammed up in her favorite jeans and a top, with a hint of nervous excitement fluttering in her stomach. As she entered the pub, the lively chatter and laughter enveloped her. Her friends were at a large table, and her eyes immediately landed on a new fa...

It was one of those random Wednesday afternoons in Nairobi , where the sun was pretending to be polite, but you know how Nairobi sun can betray you in seconds. I had just dropped my son at my friend’s place for a playdate and was ready for a rare adult outing. My cousin, Stacy, had dragged me into this whole ‘let’s meet this guy’ scenario. “Si you just come? What’s the worst that can happen?” she’d said over the phone. I rolled my eyes. Oh, the worst can happen, Stacy.But still, here I was, wearing a sundress that felt like a bribe to the universe, hoping it would make the date more tolerable. I got into a cab, greeted by the smooth-talking taxi guy. You know those guys who seem like they missed their calling as radio hosts? Yeah, that was him. He was chatting my ear off, which I didn’t mind too much because I’m what people like to call an “introvert with moments of extroversion” — a.k.a. I’d rather be in bed, but here I am. “So, unaenda date, eh? Still in the game?” He teased, his ey...

Jenna was sitting on a park bench, watching the sun dip below the Nairobi skyline . It was one of those rare moments when she had a bit of free time Mimi was with her aunt, and she had decided to take a break from her usual chaos. But peace wasn’t something Jenna was used to; her mind was racing with thoughts about her latest dating escapade. “Hey, mrembo !” a voice interrupted her thoughts. It was Alex, a guy she had met on a dating app a few weeks back. He had charmed her with his witty texts and the promise of fun adventures. But there was one thing Jenna hadn’t quite processed yet: Alex had a baby mama . “Hi, Alex!” she replied, trying to mask her unease with a smile. She knew she needed to keep it casual, but the fact that she was about to enter into a world with someone who had a whole other life was daunting. “What are you doing here?” he asked, sliding onto the bench beside her.  “Just enjoying some quiet time. It’s rare for me to get any! Mimi's with my sister,” she sa...

I hadn’t planned on dating anyone, let alone someone who had extra baggage. But Nairobi being Nairobi, you don’t always get what you expect. I was sitting at a café in Kilimani , minding my business, trying to enjoy my solitary lunch when a friend introduced me to Dan. He was one of those tall, charming guys that always seem to know what to say and when to say it. You know the type—great smile, smooth, a little too smooth. “Hey, I’m Dan,” he said, flashing that pearly white smile. “Mind if I join you for a bit?” I was hesitant at first. After all, I didn’t even come here to socialize. But Nairobi can be a lonely place sometimes, so I shrugged and gestured for him to take a seat. Besides, it’s not like I was waiting for anyone. We got talking, and I’ll admit, Dan was funny, charismatic, and seemed genuinely interested in me. He asked me all the right questions, listened, and dropped a few casual compliments that made me blush. For once, it felt like I was having an adult conversation...

Life has a way of throwing us into seasons of darkness, doesn’t it? Seasons where you’re not sure what the next step is, where the burdens are heavy, and where it feels like hope is dimming with every passing day. I’ve had those seasons, and I’m sure you’ve had yours too. In those times, it’s easy to feel like we’re lost, wandering without direction. But scripture constantly reminds us that we are never alone in our struggles. Even in the deepest darkness, God’s light shines through. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” – John 1:5 It’s such a simple verse, yet it carries so much hope. No matter how overwhelming the darkness feels—whether it's financial difficulties, broken relationships, or inner turmoil—God’s light is always there. Darkness doesn’t stand a chance against the light of Christ. I remember a time when everything felt overwhelming. I had just come through a difficult period in my personal life, and the weight of it all felt like too...

I knew it was going to be one of those nights the minute I agreed to go out with Jojo and her squad. I don’t even drink, but every now and then, I get convinced to leave the comfort of my blankets for some questionable nightlife adventures. Jojo, of course, has mastered the art of dragging me out to “socialize.” “Babe, usiku ni moja tu . Come on, si you deserve some fun?” she’d said, eyes wide with that ‘please-don’t-be-boring’ look. I sighed. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to hang out. It’s just that I have this love-hate relationship with being around drunk people. They’re fun for like 30 minutes, but after that, I usually spend the rest of the night babysitting someone who’s hugging a toilet or convincing another to stop texting their ex. Anyway, here I was. In a crowded joint somewhere in Westlands , trying to remember why I thought this was a good idea. It was a Friday, and Nairobi was buzzing with that chaotic energy that makes you feel like the whole city is on fire. Music was ...

One of the most challenging scriptures that Jesus ever spoke is found in Matthew 5:44 : “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” At first glance, it seems almost impossible. How can we love those who intentionally harm us or wish us ill? It’s counterintuitive and goes against everything our human nature demands in moments of conflict or betrayal. Yet, Jesus calls us to something higher, something more profound, something radically different from the world's approach. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody love, not just to those who love us back, but even to those who hurt us. This command is not just a lofty ideal but a clear directive from our Savior. In the Sermon on the Mount , Jesus presents a new kind of righteousness, one that surpasses the mere following of laws and enters the realm of the heart. When He says to “love your enemies,” He’s asking us to break away from our human instinct for retaliation. Most people in Jesus’ day, jus...

There’s something about being an introvert that most people don’t get. Everyone always assumes you hate people, but it’s really not that. I like people... in small doses. So, when my friend Wairimu texted me about a “small hangout” at her cousin’s place in South C , I convinced myself it wouldn’t be so bad. After all, it wasn’t a club. I could handle a house party, right? Wrong. The night started off smoothly. I showed up around 7 PM, fashionably late (because who goes to a party on time in Nairobi?), carrying a bottle of soda. Wairimu greeted me with a big hug, her usual bubbly self. “Babe, umefika! Karibu sana,” she said, dragging me inside. “We’ve already started on drinks, and I’ve been saving you a seat.” The house was... more packed than I expected. Not the five or six people I had imagined, but closer to twenty. Some were lounging on the couches, others were standing around with drinks in their hands, and music was blasting from the corner. I immediately felt my introvert batte...

In the bustling streets of Nairobi , 23-year-old Nia was having one of those “Why am I even awake?” mornings. As a recent university graduate, the reality of job hunting was hitting her harder than her morning coffee, which she desperately needed. The dream of landing a job in marketing felt more like chasing a mirage in the hot desert sun. “Nia, what’s the plan for today?” her mom asked, peeking into her messy room, which looked like a tornado had hit it. “You can’t just stay in bed.” “I’m just trying to think, Mama,” Nia sighed, propping herself up on her elbows.  “I sent out a ton of applications, and all I get are rejection emails.” “ You need to get out there! Go visit that recruitment agency you mentioned, ” Aunty Wanjiru suggested, her tone both encouraging and firm. “Remember, every ‘no’ is one step closer to a ‘yes.’” Nia rolled her eyes but knew her mom was right. She threw on a simple dress, grabbed her bag, and headed out the door. “ Nia, be confident! You’ve got thi...